Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 36

Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention

Devanagari script

भुशुण्डिभिश्चक्रगदर्ष्टिपट्टिशै: शक्त्युल्मुकै: प्रासपरश्वधैरपि । निस्त्रिंशभल्ल‍ै: परिघै: समुद्गरै: सभिन्दिपालैश्च शिरांसि चिच्छिदु: ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

bhuśuṇḍibhiś cakra-gadarṣṭi-paṭṭiśaiḥ śakty-ulmukaiḥ prāsa-paraśvadhair api nistriṁśa-bhallaiḥ parighaiḥ samudgaraiḥ sabhindipālaiś ca śirāṁsi cicchiduḥ

Translation

Ils se coupèrent la tête les uns les autres, utilisant des armes telles que bhuśuṇḍis, cakras, massues, ṛṣṭis, paṭṭiśas, śaktis, ulmukas, prāsas, paraśvadhas, nistriṁśas, lances, parighas, mudgaras et bhindipālas.

Synonyms

• भुशुण्डिभिः: with clubs/maces (bhuśuṇḍīs)
• भुशुण्डिभिः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुशुण्डि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• चक्रगदर्ष्टिपट्टिशैः: with discs, maces, spears, and battle-axes
• चक्रगदर्ष्टिपट्टिशैः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र + गदा + ऋष्टि + पट्टिश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: ‘with discs, maces, spears, and axes’

• शक्त्युल्मुकैः: with javelins and firebrands
• शक्त्युल्मुकैः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति + उल्मुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व: ‘with javelins and firebrands’

• प्रासपरश्वधैः: with lances and axes
• प्रासपरश्वधैः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रास + परश्वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व: ‘with lances and axes’

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/particle (also/even)

• निस्त्रिंशभल्लैः: with swords and bhalla-weapons
• निस्त्रिंशभल्लैः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निस्त्रिंश + भल्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व: ‘with swords and darts/arrows (bhallas)’

• परिघैः: with iron bars
• परिघैः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• समुद्गरैः: with hammers/mallets
• समुद्गरैः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्गर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• सभिन्दिपालैः: together with bhindipāla weapons
• सभिन्दिपालैः: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स + भिन्दिपाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव: ‘सहितं भिन्दिपालैः’ = ‘together with bhindipālas’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय conjunction

• शिरांसि: heads
• शिरांसि: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन

• चिच्छिदुः: they cut off
• चिच्छिदुः: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √छिद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam describe about the Deva-Asura war in Canto 8 Chapter 10?

This verse depicts the intensity of the battlefield, listing many traditional weapons and stating that the combatants cut down opponents by severing their heads.

Who is speaking Bhagavatam 8.10.36 and to whom?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this verse to King Parīkṣit while describing the events of the Deva-Asura battle.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for modern life?

Even amid violent conflict, the Bhagavatam’s broader lesson is to seek refuge in the Lord and align with dharma rather than be consumed by aggression and rivalry.